Psychodynamic Therapy

Most of my formative academic training was grounded in the principles of psychodynamic therapy which pays attention to processes as they impact current day behaviors. I use the treatment orientation in daily practice to help provide a holistic approach to the helping process.

Why psychodynamic/analytic therapy? The here and now psychotherapy relationship opens a stunning window into past, present, and future; into the deep wisdom of the unconscious; and into a creative flexibility that brings more and more wholesomeness, freedom, intimacy, and flourishing of the soul. I have doctoral and postdoctoral training in various contemporary analytic approaches, and I practice from a liberatory, feminist, relational stance.

Music psychotherapy utilizes concepts from Jungian theory as well as attachment and client centered approaches. What is underneath your behavior patterns? What keep cropping up despite your very smart intellectual understanding of your past? "We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses." Carl Jung

I have seven years of training in psychodynamic therapy which explores the connection between past experiences and the way you see and experience the world now.

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on resolving inner conflict, exploring the impact of early life experiences, and increasing understanding of unconscious experiences. We are trained in various dimensions of psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy, including relational therapy and interpersonal therapy. These psychodynamic treatments also include a specific emphasis on how the relationship between therapist and client can reflect challenges in the client's life, and serve as a vessel for change.

We don't examine the past with the intent to stay there, but to understand the early encoded blueprint for how we operate in relationships today. Our work will help you gain clarity by noticing the blueprint's patterns & cycles, which will offer you language to better understand and articulate what you’re needing & experiencing. Ultimately, our work together will help you develop perspective, increase sense of self worth, and build confidence in your ability to elicit change.

Psychodynamic therapy is an in-depth form of talk therapy that explores the connection between a patient's past experiences, often from childhood, and their current mindset. It is based on the theories and principles of psychoanalysis and aims to help individuals gain greater insight into unconscious patterns that may be affecting their present behavior and emotions. This type of therapy is conducted over a shorter period of time and with less frequency than traditional psychoanalysis.

With a psychodynamic approach, we help clients explore how past experiences, unconscious thoughts, and internal conflicts shape current behavior and emotions. This approach uncovers patterns that may be limiting personal growth, fostering self-awareness and healing. By addressing these underlying influences, we guide clients in processing unresolved emotions, promoting deeper insight, and creating meaningful change for lasting personal growth.

The roles we play in life now can be connected to our our roles, values and beliefs we learned when we were younger. My role is to help illuminate your emotions and unhealthy patterns of behavior that would provide you with the keys to unlocking the root of your concerns. By having a deeper understanding of your internal world, we will help you to make decisions that would lead to a more successful life.

Psychodynamic therapy gives us an opportunity to trace the roots of coping strategies that may not serve you well anymore, even though they likely did at one time. We investigate your patterns with non-judgmental curiosity. A psychodynamic perspective gives us a lens to look through, with the help of memories and dreams, to sort out what is happening in your life now and what you want it to look like moving forward. I am trained in psychodynamic theory through Northwestern University.

En route to licensure, I trained at psychodynamic-oriented Airport Marina Counseling Service. For more than a decade, I have received weekly mentorship from renown Los Angeles-area psychologist Dr. Gary Penn.

I am interested in the formation of our ego structure, the organization of our personality and how we view the world. I am tuned into the presence of defense mechanism, how they protect us and why they were formed. I care about how our past experience shape who we are as people. I am tuned into the transference and counter transference in the therapy room. This means, what is happening between therapist and client and making meaning of behaviors and feelings.

Psychodynamic therapy involves examining and bringing into awareness our mental and emotional processes. Through our experiences and development, we form patterns and beliefs over time that influence and shape how we think, feel, act, and relate to others. The aim is to gain insight and interpret where some of our psychological processes and defenses come from so we can better understand ourselves and reduce distress or symptoms ailing us to improve our lives.

I was trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the University of Chicago. Psychodynamic therapy, combined with other approaches, such as energy therapy techniques can be very effective in treating a number of conditions. That said, I don't get stuck on one or two approaches. That would be like a medical doctor who only prescibes penicillin. A good therapist needs multiple tools in his or her toolbox.

I offer an integrative, psychodynamic approach informed by mindfulness. Together we will strive to understand how past experience has influenced present-day thoughts, emotions, and behaviors -- and access your authentic voice to make new choices that are aligned with your values and beliefs.